Wearable fitness devices with their ability to track your daily habits — like how many steps you take, what you eat, and how much water you drink — can be a powerful way to support weight loss.
Fitness trackers like wristbands, smartwatches, and rings measure things like daily movement, heart rate, and sleep. They can help you see patterns and give you feedback on how active you really are. While these devices can be helpful on a weight loss journey, it’s important to note that the magic and you still need to put in the work – they can just help do so.
Fitness trackers allow users to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals related to physical activity and weight loss. They also provide a way to track progress towards these goals, allowing users to monitor their performance and make adjustments to their routines.
These wearable, internet-enabled devices can foster motivation by providing visual feedback on progress and enabling users to see how their actions impact their health. Some devices also offer features like social challenges and reminders, which can increase accountability and encourage users to stay on track.
With so many such devices available, is there one brand or type that is better than the other for weight loss? More data isn’t always better. It’s important to do your research and figure out what tool fits your goals and lifestyle. Some devices are better for tracking steps or physical activity, while others focus more on sleep or heart rate. For example, runners might want something that tracks mileage, while someone else focused on general wellness may only need a basic pedometer.
Before you just go out on your own, weight loss professionals recommend you work with your doctor or a registered dietitian to help you not only decide the best tracker for you but also build a program around the gadget that will lead to success.
They also suggest working with an accountability partner and focusing on eating a protein-rich, nutrient-dense diet rather than just counting calories.
The Bottom Line
Tracking tools can be a helpful part of your weight loss journey, but they won’t do the work for you. If you’re unsure where to start, consider talking to your doctor or another healthcare professional.
